Duncan Smith vows to end feuding

Iain Duncan Smith has hit back at his party critics accusing them of pursuing the politics of "division for division's sake".

As senior Tory MPs issued a series of statements warning against any leadership challenge, Mr Duncan Smith vowed to close down the fighting between the so-called "modernisers" and "traditionalists" once and for all.

Although he did not name Michael Portillo, his words were clearly aimed at the former shadow chancellor who plunged the party into crisis with an outspoken attack on Mr Duncan Smith's leadership and the quality of his advisers.

"The conflict isn't between traditionalists and modernisers, but between those determined to face up today's challenges and those who prefer the politics of division for division's sake," Mr Duncan Smith told the Sunday Telegraph.

"I want to close down this discourse between so-called 'modernisers' and 'traditionalists' for good."

Mr Portillo's intervention prompted speculation that Mr Duncan Smith could face a challenge to his leadership, with some reports suggesting rebel MPs were about to start collecting signatures for a vote of no confidence.

The Sunday Telegraph quoted one unnamed ally of Mr Duncan Smith as saying: "Iain regards what Portillo has done as self-indulgent to the point of madness. the idea that there should be an imminent leadership challenge is insane".

The paper said that source was speaking with the full authority of Mr Duncan Smith.

In a further sign of the deep anger and bitterness within the party, The Sunday Times quoted Mr Duncan Smith telling colleagues privately that "Portillo and the people around him are like a cancer."

Earlier a series of former ministers and senior MPs, including Ann Widdecombe, Peter Lilley, Brian Mawhinney and Virginia Bottomley, issued statements warning against a leadership contest when the country was on the verge of war.

However one leading Shadow Cabinet member associated with the modernisers - trade and industry spokesman Tim Yeo - said that Mr Duncan Smith's leadership could be on the line if the party failed to make gains in the May 1 council elections.